Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in a_pinkmonkey's LiveJournal:

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Wednesday, June 4th, 2008
8:04 am	I'm not dead yet Yes, yes, lj says I haven't posted for 7 weeks, so I guess it's time to say hi to everyone.  Last night celebrated some birthdays lestamore and  jillwheezel, but I"m spelling it wrong (and she wasn't there anyway, but we raised a glass anyway) and my little bro.  It was fun to see people in the middle of the week. Went to June Faire last weekend.  Pirates scare me. Had fun with my peeps and got to spend some time with folks I don't get to see often.  Kids had fun on the forge with Grendel, who wins the most patient with children award. More family fun tonight.  My mother has scheduled a fancy dinner tonight with my brother.  I'm scared - children and fancy dress dinners don't mix. I'm hoping to get my hair done today or see fjorlief if she's feeling up to it. This weekend - cleaning my garage.  Oh joy. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
8:46 am	posting 2 days in a row... nobody drop dead of shock! The Milford report:  Dog discovered the guinea pig.  Very excited to stick nose in cage, which I would not allow.  So he stood on his hind legs in the middle of the room to take a look and whined.  The pig seemed to take this in stride.  He came from a home where there was a dog before.  The fight over mommy's lap will be the big one, but I swear the new guy is half as big as Carter. Chores: Cleaning the garage so we can empty the storage unit.  Needed to be done two years ago, but better late than never.  You might say how can you waste a beautiful day in the garage, but have you ever tried to clean the garage on a crummy day. Eve fun:  Thatch!  Be there and be Tiki! Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: pressure cooker cookin me indian food (Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008
6:58 pm	parenting sigh.  parenting is hard.  life is hard.  my honey is good.  I think I will not be coming to 12th night this year which sucks like I can't tell you.  I will be sewing my little fingers to the bone tonight, but I got nuthin for tomorrow, except more sewing.  The children frown upon this. How many more days until school starts again? Current Mood: tired Current Music: tiki (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, June 4th, 2007
1:23 am	I f.... deleted the post again! I'm up to my ass in pugs, and yet I miss my dog.  Go figure.  When he finds his way home things will be easier.  For now I will have to be brave. Sorry to all of my good friends who did not make it into my first round of thank you postings from last weekend.  I had a technology failure and then I was overcome by narcalepsy (yeah, well, you try to spell it) and literally woke up to it being Sunday and yeah gods it's June. Big love and thanks to the whole Heim.  You guys swooped it, helped when I really needed it and disappeared before I could say thanks.  Connor and Liaden thanks for help with keg, ice, music and pics.  Hope recovery is going well.  elfreda there was pole dancing at the boy's party and your boy missed it again! </div>pets: two old pugs are a lot like toddlers and my house isn't babyproof anymore.  They were very popular at June Faire.  In fact I was           disappointed to note that many people were more interested in the dogs than they were in the Viking display, but we did our best.           I did take exception when a lady actually lifted one of the out of the pen to love it up, without asking.  Do these people have           MANNERS!  That did not result in my dog escaping, which he did.  He felt he had to release himself on his own recognisance, due           to an extreme need that I wasn't taking care of and he just wanted to stretch his legs.  So now the children are ok with demos, but           the dog isn't.  I just can't win. June Faire:  Overall, LOVED IT!  Want to go back next year.  Maybe find a spot for our tent that isn't directly in the sun all day.  (How did           that work?) Maybe brought too much stuff, but felt display looked good.  Not enough little G food, but she was ok with locally obtainable           hot dogs and snow cones.  Boy was very happy to be Grendal's assistant for the day and took his duties very seriously.  I am still           worried he was being a pain in the ass, but I have faith that Grendal's a big boy and can take care of himself.  Saw many friends           very briefly, which was better than faire in the grove, where I think we talked to more of the public, but we saw no one.  The sun           wasn't quite so fierce, our set up was more complex and we got there much earlier.  I hope to be done demoing for a while.  Fun, but           hard work.  Now I'm ready for a few just show up and relax type events. HA Fight Practice: Sewing circle of doom is a go.  I am also going to try to put in an appearance at the DM gathering on Fri. Family:Mom is having dinner with brother unit for his birthday (I wasn't invited).  Brother unit asked me to watch dogs for Sat.           and I ended up with them until Mon., so not eager to spend more time at that dinner.  Bro going through a selfish phase that he may           not see the other side of for some time.  Mom tried to lay trip of [she] felt responsible for him being a selfish asshole.  I refrained from telling           her yes, you didn't show a dazzling example to the contrary, but did point out, that he is a big boy and is making his own choices.  When           she started on the genes path, I referred back to my previous statement, followed up with the corollary that no one is responsible for           genes.  I also restrained myself from pointing out that I have the same genes as my brother, and yet refrain from the type of behavior           being discussed, thus I thought proving all of my points, but you can't use logic when arguing with my mother, especially if she's had           a margarita. OMG LJ has sucked out my brain.  I wanted to kill time until midnight and now it is 2.  This is so going to hurt tomorrow.  Hope I know           my name tomorrow.  Just call me pink monkey.  Glad my husband doesn't read this! </div> Current Mood: sleepy Current Music: snores of pugs and purrs (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007
8:10 pm	dreams do come true aka my friends rock I am writing this post before I have read anyone else's, so if it is repetitive I am sorry.  My friends rock.  I have the best husband in the world. Finally one of my crazy plans became reality and it was as if nothing could stop it.  I put the greatest man I ever knew threw the worst kind of hell I never imagined and instead of running away cursing my name he made me pancakes showed me how much more he loved me than I ever expected.  Ever since then I have tried to show him how grateful I am and have only made a drop in the bucket. Then I had a dream. Then I had a plan. Then someone let the monkeys out and things got out of control and I would have fallen flat on my face and spent a lot of my husbands money (again) on something he didn't want and it would have been crap and no one would have been happy. But then  ..... little fairies came with sparklie wings and saved my fat ass and I CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH.  All of my friends need thanking and I am trying to make cards, but I am also despirate for sleep, but I need to do thanks NOW, so thanks to dancegal  for being the wedding coordinator and all around wrangler of cats, corraler of my mom, wearer of the PINKEST apron dress, and introducer of the idea that I needed a PLAN!  Thanks to jillwheezul  head costumer, my battery recharger, weaver of faboo trim, german pug disiplinarian and beer maiden, we would have looked plain and pleatless without you girl. Thanks to Merideth, who is continually a joy to get to know, better each time I see her. She was always in the right place at the right time with the practicality and logic and calm.  I drew great strength from you sweetie.  I can't wait to see your wedding!ksenia THANK YOU SO MUCH SWEETIE.  I think I would have barfed or passed out without you and Merideth taking care of me.  I felt like all of you were helping me like a retinue and I never intended for that to happen, but apparently that is what I needed, so I am thanking you now.  I am so grateful.  I was so whipped at one point on Sat. night I couldn't even lift the diet coke to take a drink because it was too heavy.  THAT's tired! deb fjorlief </div> </div> Current Mood: loved Current Music: hum o the computer (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, April 17th, 2007
8:45 am	Brilliant new idea I've got a new idea for event fun and its as hot as my pants!  Several of us non drinkers, namely jillwheezul and dance_gal were talking last night and we were trying to come up with some sort of diversions other than watching drunks in the evenings at events. SOOOO, the Sober Cardplayers Association has been born.  This club won't always be about cards, but in commemoration of our name, we will have a card game to commemorate our name.  The diversions will always be period in the inspiration and although drinking will be permitted, it will not be the goal of the activity.  All my friends and friends of my friends are welcome.  The first meeting will take place at my cabana boy party, where the boys will be serving the drinks to the players hopefully.  We will be playing a cardgame with taro cards that jillwheezul suggested, but I can't remember the name of exactly, so if you have an extra set that are used for playing, or an extra small table and chairs, or an extra cabana boy, bring them over. On a more somber note, the doc is changing my meds, so I am probably going to start gaining weight again unless I strive very hard.  It's only 9 and the battle is already raging. sigh. I have to start packing for the first camping outing of the year this weekend and I don't have a firm babysitter for the kids. Ugh. But I have a dog. Current Mood: ecstatic Current Music: hum of the computer (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 11th, 2007
3:06 pm	SCA Questionaire yoinked from hleleanorsdress Finally a game I can play too! 1. What/when was your first event? May Crown 1993 when Barak became King. I mugged a customer in the Mill End store when I worked there and said "I know you are one of them, show me how to find the SCA."  Luckily she was also new and we went to a heraldry meeting, hooked up with some nice folks from Dragon's Mist and headed for Crown.  Set up the tent , which I actually didn't know the final shape of, in the rain and dark, but there was mead and good company in the end and all was well.  I was hooked. 2. What was your first war? It was probably a West War.  I remember my husband liked fighting in them much better than tournaments, because he didn't feel everone was watching how badly he was doing. 3. What is your favorite part of an event/war? First thing in the morning, when there is a fog and all of the modern traffic noises have died down.  You look out and see a sea of period tents and fire pits.  That is when the illusion is real for me.  MMmmmmm. 4. What A&S skill/talent do you have or wish you had? I wish I was a blacksmith.  I love banging on things with hammers.  That's why I like jewelry making, its like tiny blacksmithing. 5. Why did you choose the elements of your Coat of Arms/device? Red was one of the VG colors and is special to me.  Yellow is the happiest color in the world and gold is close.  The tree of life is a very old and important symbol in Viking culture.  I chose oak because it comes from my Mistress' arms.  Goats have always had a special place in my heart.  You can't help but love them, even though they are absolutely infuriating creatures.  They are total trouble makers, but they aren't evil, they're just curious.  They are very generous and giving, but because of their very nature, they make you work to enjoy their bounty.  In the end, you love them in spite of themselves.  Stinkiness and all.  That's pretty much me. 6. Favorite SCA song? The fur song that Ulf sings, especially the little dance he does. 7. Favorite garb? My laurel hat.  I felted the wool part at my second St. Hildeguard, where I spent a week living the real medieval life for the first time.  The wire work I applied right before my ceremony at a very strange time in my life.  The front part has popped off and needs to be fixed.  I even love that. 8. Best advice received/given? Always take an opportunity - to teach, to learn, to listen, to advise, to pee etc. 9. What is one thing you would like to change about the SCA? I would like to shift the focus more toward historical research and recreation, but I try to lead by example toward that goal everyday.  It's a long road. 10. Why do you do this hobby? I'm a history major and a costume junkie.  What else would I do with my spare time? Current Mood: bouncy Current Music: boy reading story (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 5th, 2007
3:56 pm	Tiki Ready Well girls I have been shopping too much this week, but we are TIKI READY. The cabana boys will be well equipped (aren't they always) to start the camping season off right at my May Crown party with plenty of glasses, lamps and decorations (who doesn't like a 6ft tall fuesha palm tree). Another SCA dream destroyed by yours truly. Can't wait. Current Mood: giddy Current Music: tinkle of Carter's tags (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, February 15th, 2007
1:26 pm	V day so far Finished my orange dress finally!!! whoot! The P man gave me the smallest ipod I've ever seen and was hurt because I didn't jump up and down when I saw it. All I could think was "I lost the last one because it was too small and this one is smaller than a piece of bazooka gum." But it is Svava pink, and is engraved "Happy Vanlentine's Day PinkMonkey" which is too cute. It has very few buttons, which means I can't get lost in the menues and I've been attached to it most of the day when I haven't been at... Little G's School...egad were we that hyper on Valentine's day? And that was before the cookies and candy came out. What cracked me up is when the kids started handing out their cards they started chasing each other around the room, instead of trying to put things in their boxes. It was a hoot. I even got a V card "To G's mom" - too cute. The man made tempura and pink noodle ramen. He's a peach. The bitch is that this has been such a shitty week, that I really can't get that bam chicka wah wah feeling up. I'm totally PMSing and I may be starting a depression jag too, lord knows I'm justified. At least I scored on giving him good prezzies though. He needed some good glass making tools. I was going to try to go to Bullseye, but they didn't have them. So I said shop for yourself. They came in the mail on Tuesday. On V day I gave him heart shaped measuring cups and measuring spoons. Utterly useless and very cute. sorry this got lost in the either until today. funk funk funk Current Mood: depressed (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, February 5th, 2007
4:24 pm	tofu on the beach Today I had a very serene day planned. I was going to drive to the beach with a book on tape playing, walk the dog, and set a needle laden piece of tofu adrift on the waves. Ha. Of course I had made the mistake of feeling sorry for myself earlier this weekend because I couldn't roust up any company for this journey, so the universe gave me some. Little G was barfing at the movies with her aunt yesterday, so when she said she was sick this morning we had to believe her. So whala, company for the car "are we there yet", "I'm bored", "can we go home". Only one time did she really turn grey and I was worried she'd be sick, but it was the dog that threw up in the Calvin and Hobbes book, I didn't know he was a fan. So for all you Japanophiles next weekend, there is a celebration to honor you hardworking needles and pins, back in the day when they were expensive to make, they were put in a block of tofu at the local Shinto temple to honor their hard work, then they were buried by the priests in the cemetary or wrapped in cloth and set adrift on the sea. Since we don't have a Shinto temple handy, I opted for the ocean. I think next year we may do the whole thing at the beach. who hoo Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: arguing of children (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, February 1st, 2007
9:16 am	Zaphod got nothin on me Don't you hate it when one part of your brain ain't talking to another part of your brain? I have been very excitedly awaiting monkeybung's arrival to my house, since she hasn't been out before, and maybe a few others to boot, including maybe jillweezill and one of my CERT friends who might be a newbie in disguise. I was even going to roast a chicken for the occasion, and ya'll know how often I cook. So plans are progressing. Meanwhile, another part of me, let's call her "V", has been preparing for a certain parent meeting that takes place every two months and which she can't duck out of because she is the Secretary. She remembers that the are on the same day and at the same time when she reads the sign she had put up yesterday to remind parents when they dropped off their kids this morning that there was a meeting this morning. I guess my message finally got through to myself. There isn't enough Duh in the world. So the short answer is if you were coming over tonight, if you come over after 7:30 you'll be fine. Current Mood: annoyed Current Music: what's in my head (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, January 15th, 2007
9:16 pm	Three things My husband did this on his blog and I thought it was cool. Tell three things no one knows about you. So here goes about me. I love lighters as Americana artforms, although I detest smoking. I actually like pickled pigs feet. I was in the flag corp in high school. Current Mood: cheerful (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, August 20th, 2006
5:50 pm	Back Home We have arrived back home. My mom is here for the week working, so my sewing room is now a guest room. I've only been here about two hours, but I want to scream. Why is Oregon so hot? CA was quite nice. Thanks for keeping me in touch with my nearest and dearest. Current Mood: bitchy Current Music: R2D2 toy beeps (Comment on this)
Friday, August 18th, 2006
5:29 pm	Last Day in Cali We are once again watching the kids next to the pool. Have I mentioned how much they like the pool? I think they will miss it when we go back. Ugh, two days in the car. whoo and fucking hoo. Tonight we are going out with the in-laws for Asian fusion food at the E & O Trading Co. I guess there are a few benefits to hanging out with the rich. I certainly got my fill of them today. We went to Sonoma and since neither of us drink wine we visited all of the historical landmarks. I had forgotten how much I hate California history. I got my fill of it in school. I also have no patience for poorly written historical narrative, of which there was an abundance. On a whim we went to Jack London's house which was actually cool. I saw hiw wife's house, house of happy walls, which was cool. The better half and the boy went to see Wolf house which burned just before completion. It had 15,000 sq. ft., 26 rooms and nine fireplaces, which is five more than the in-laws. What's with the fireplaces, it never gets cold here! The big W. Craftsman though, droool. For lunch we picnicked in the park and had cheese, bread and salami, my mom's favorite kind of lunch. For desert we had yummy gelato, mine was pomegranate. Now I'm all dressed up in my funeral clothes and ready to try to keep the children from imploding before our 7:30 dinner reservations. yeah me. BTW does anyone know what happened to fiber and fletching?Oh yeah, I found a pirate monkey t-shirt at paul frank this week. heehee Current Mood: peaceful Current Music: Beattles (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, August 17th, 2006
10:56 pm	Viking Quiz On the Valhalla quiz I struck out. Apparently I need to read the sagas more. Impressive! You obviously know nothing at all, I even couldn't imagine somebody failing as hard as you. If you're planning suicide, ensure that you do it properly. 3903 other people got this result! This quiz has been taken 6595 times. 58% of people had this result. Current Mood: disappointed (2 Comments |Comment on this)
10:47 pm	Star Trek Quiz Ok. First, no one said this quiz was so freakin long! Second, I CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT TROI!!!!! You are Deanna Troi Deanna Troi 80% Chekov 70% Beverly Crusher 60% Will Riker 55% An Expendable Character (Redshirt) 55% James T. Kirk (Captain) 50% Mr. Sulu 50% Uhura 40% Geordi LaForge 40% Leonard McCoy (Bones) 30% Spock 22% Mr. Scott 20% Jean-Luc Picard 20% Data 7% Worf 5% You are a caring and loving individual. You understand people's emotions and you are able to comfort and counsel them. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
10:17 pm	More adventures in Cali I'm all snuggly next to my honey after spending most of the day with him and now I'm so wuffy I'm not sure I remember what we did. We had lunch at dim sum again today with grandma, who then took the kidlets to work with her. They got to see a kid with his liver out of his body, which was a little much for g. They did get to wear scrubs and looked to cute. While they were charming the operating staff, we went to the asian art museum in SF. It started out with Ganesh and many buddas, moved into chinese vases and robes (can you say embroidery), a few korean scrolls of bamboo, which i liked and then went into changing exhibits. The love affair between east and west. Very colonial, which I don't really care for. There was a screen with Portugese guys wearing kimono fabrics for their western clothes and lovely Japanese people snickering at them in the corners. Ladies wearing maple leaves on their kimonos which were cool. I looked in their giftshop as long as in some of the galleries. There was a fabulous book on korean clothing, but it was 95. Ack. I did get a book for the kids on Buddist animal stories and one on Japanese fabric rapped packages. Oh, I remember what we did this morning. We went to the market by the Marin Civic Center. FABULOUS veggies and fruits. We blew a bundle, but my honey turned it into fabulous dinner tonight. i found the PERFECT silk jacket at one of the stalls for only 60, P said I looked good but there was no way we could afford it. Sigh. After the museum we ran to the Whiskey Shop, which only had a half an hour left before they closed. We came away with one scotch to keep and one to share with a special friend. Then we blasted back here to have dinner with the grandparents, who mentioned that they just bought a place in Mexico, to go with their mansion in San Rafel, and their palace in sisters at the black butte ranch. More money than sense, but they won't pay for parking. Go figure. On the project front, I only have about 5 more patches to do, then I have to go back and put their inner circles on, but hopefully that won't take that long and then I will be freeeeeeee. My mom will be sleeping in my sewing room for a week when I get back. I think I am going to take that time to unpack more of my house. Current Mood: loved Current Music: only whats in my head (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 16th, 2006
7:42 pm	today poolside Today I had an awesome day. I just finished looking at some pictures of a polish event that looks like it rocked. I wish I had millions so I could go to such events and make all the merchants happy. On the home front, we took the kids to the temporary aquarium and natural history museum, which was smaller, but cool. Then we had some great sushi, and little g even asked for octopus. I nearly died of shock. On the way we found a paul frank store, which was full of monkey stuff. Then we found a monkey statue on the street. Then we went to the Goodwill in San Rafel. mmmm...rich people. I got a chico's overshirt, a silk blouse and another poly blouse that is one of my favorite colors. All for less than 20 bucks. I want to go back tomorrow without the children. he he. We also went to the Whiskey shop, but the kids were not into it. We'll be going back there tomorrow too. I saw a three story high fabric store, but since my vow makes all of that just torture, we didn't go in, but next year mwha ha ha. Current Mood: chipper Current Music: Jimmy Buffet Live in Fenway Park (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006
5:52 pm	California without the sunshine Today was a beautiful day in THE CITY, totally foggy and cool. I got to sleep in which put me in a good mood. Last night Pat had a few martinis which put him in the mood to play with the kids, so I didn't have to go in the pool, which was great. Their new floaters keep them safe and entertained and I don't have to worry. They are happily splashing away as I type poolside. Are laptops cool or what! We had dim sum at a place on Geary called Ton Kiang, which is supposed to be some of the best in the city. We got there about 10:30, so dim sum for breakfast. :) While we were there we decided we were going to go again on Thurs. (whoo hoo!) Then we tried to go to the Aquarium and the natural history musuem, only to find out that the whole thing is under construction and has moved locations, so instead we went to the de Young. The de Young was closed the last time we were here because it was it's turn for renovation. At that time, apparently, them moved all of the Asian art to another completely different museum. :( So we saw lots of cool stuff today, but no asian art, which is what I was really looking forward to. There was a traveling exhibit called Chicano that had a lot of art from Cheech Marin's collection. Apparently he's quite a collector. Current Mood: cheerful (Comment on this)
Monday, August 14th, 2006
6:15 pm	Cali day two How is it that vacationing can make you so tired? We started the day with shopping. They have tax. We went to a mall that looked like any other mall we could have visited at home. Why did we go? I did not ask myself that question. My husband wanted to walk and he wanted me to walk in different shoes. So we got said shoes. Brief detour to book store, where I did pick up a copy of "The Half-Blood Prince". We took the kids to an incredible play park that even had a climbing rock, which Ivan really enjoyed. Stopped at the house for a quick lunch and off to geocaching. We stopped along the way to pick up Eucalyptus seed pods, which the kids enjoyed and then we walked and walked some more. "How far is this one honey? (me)" "Oh I forgot to look (him)" 6 or 7 MILES later my feet are bleeding and everyone is weary. The kids came home demanding a swim in the pool and we still don't have life vests (Toys R US said "sold out 3 weeks ago". I have never understood why life jackets aren't something stores carry all the time. So the grandparents have been gone with the children for an hour and I am too tired to care what they are up to. Tomorrow we are going into SF for Dim Sum and the De Young. Tonight I am putting up my feet up. Current Mood: exhausted (2 Comments |Comment on this)